Railway draft gear



r oct' 19' 1948' y s. B. HAsELTlNE: v2,451,551

RAILWAY ADRAFT GEAR Filed June 28, 1945 Patented Oct. 19, ,1948 g yRAILWAY DRAFT GEAR stacy B. Haseltnella Grange, Ill., assigner to W. HlMiner., Inc., Chicago, lll., a

o' Delaware Application June 2s', 194s, 'sei-loi No. leases s claims.(ci. 21a-36) This invention relates to improvements irl 'railway draftgears for railway cars.

@ne object of the invention is to provide a railway draft gearcomprising a friction shock absorbing mechanism of rugged, simple designfo;x absorbing shocks to which the railway car is su`o= ject'ed inservice, and more particularly for ahso'rbing the shocks produced by apulling or draft action applied to the car coupler or drawbar.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a railway draftrigging comprising a drawbar and a friction shock absorbing mechan-i'snlespecially designed to cushion the 'pulling shocks transmitted by thedrawbar, wherein the friction shock absorbing mechanism includes afriction post through which the drawb-ar extends and with respect towhich it is lengthwise movable, and a friction clutch embracing saidpost and having sliding frictional engagement therewith, the frictionpost being held against movement in draft and the clutch being movablewith the drawbar during' draft action to slide said clutch along thepost to produce relatively high frictionalresistance to effectivelycushion draft shocks.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from thedescription and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawing forming a part of this specification, Figure l is alongitudinal vertical sectional view through the underframe structure ofa railfway car, at one end thereof, illustrating my im provements inconnection therewith. Figures 2, 3, and 4 are transverse, vertical,`sectional views, corresponding respectively to the lines`:2-2, 3e-3,and 4-4 of VFigure 1. Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2,illustrating ano-ther embodimentof the invention. Y

In said drawing, it indicates therusual end sill ofthe car underframestructure, and I l one of the center sills. As will be understood bythose skilled in this art, the usual underframe structure cornprisfestwo spaced center sills and these are fixed at their front ends to theend sill. ARearwardly or inwardly 'of the end sill the underframestructure has a .transverse connecting member i2 extends between the twocenter sills, from one to the other, and has its opposite ends fixedthereto. The member l2 serves as the front stop of the draft rigging ofthe, car and is reinforced b"y a heavy plate I3 on the inner sidethereof which preferably welded thereto. The end sill lliY and themember i2 are of channel-shaped cross section and are connected by topand bottorn Iplates I4 and I4 which aresecured to the c'rporatintoe andbottom 'flanges or said channel members. Tie drawbar of the car, whichis indicated by iii, is Aof the type having a coupler hook at the outerend thereof for engagement with :the coupling means of an adjacent car.'he drawbar St has anehlarged head i6 at the outer end having the hookformed thereon. The' shank Ii of the drawlcar I5, which extendsrearwardly from the head, is of cylindrical cross section, that is, inthe forni of a cylindrical bar or shaft. The usual nut le is threaded onthe rear end cf the shank il. The drawbar i5 is accommodated forlengthwise sliding movement in aligned openings la and 2t in the endsill Il) and the connecting member i2. The head i6 of the drawbar isreduced in size 'at the rear end thereof where it joins the cylindricalshank ll, thereby providing top and ,bottom shoulders HG-H-l 'IS adaptedto engage the front face of the end sill 'lll and limit inward movementof the drawbar.

Referring rst to the embodiment oi the invenn tion shown ln Figures l toIl inclusive, l provide a hollow friction post A 'through which theshank il of thel drawbar extends; a wedge cap B abutting the nut at therear end of the drawbar; three friction shoes `('-e--C---C in wedg'ingengagement with the cap i3; a follower ring D in wedgieg engagementwith-the shoes; and 'a spring E1 yield lhgly opposing movement of thefollower rin-g D, shoes C, and cap B.

line friction post A is in :the form of an elongated member having acentral longitudinal here 2l through which the shank Il of the drawbarextends. The post A is of hexagonal transverse cross section andrearwardly tapered, as' shown. The oost thus presents' six flat frictionsurfaces 22--252 which diverge outwardly or forwardly of the car. At theforward end thereof, 'the post A is provided with en annular 'bas-e ange23 which forros an abutment 'for the front end of the string The base 23of the post A bears on 'the front stopl formed by the member i2 andreinforcing The wedge cap B5 has six 'interior .wedge faces 24--25 whichare symmetrically arranged 'about the longitudinal central axis of :themechanism and diverge forwardly.

The friction shoes C, which are three in nurnber, are of similar design,each shoe havin-g a friction surface 25 on the inner side thereof whichis' oi V'eshaped transverse cross section, the two angularly disposedfaces of the v'g-shaped surface cooperating with two adjacent frlctionsurfaces :22-22 of the post A.

v At therear end,` each shoe is provided with a wedge face of V-shapedtransverse cross sec'- tion, the two angularly disposed portions of cachV-shaped face cooperating with two adjacent wedge faces 251--2-'2 of thewedge cap B. At the forward end, each shoe C is provided with a wedgeface 27 of V-shaped transverse cross section. The wedge face 2li ispreferably of keener angularity than the wedge face 2E.

The follower ring D surrounds the post A and has six interior wedgefaces 28-28 at the rear end thereof arranged symmetrically around theaxis of the mechanism. The wedge faces 28-28 cooperate in pairs withth'e wedge faces 27 of the shoes, that is, the two members of each pairof faces 28-28 engage respectively the two angular sections of theV-shaped face 27 of the cooperating shoe.

The spring resistance E is in the form of a single heavy coilsurrounding the post A and is interposed between the base fiange 23 ofthe post and the follower ring D.

As shown in Figure l, the shank II of the drawbar I protrudes beyond theend of the post with the nut I8 abutting the wedge cap B. The inner sideof the wedge cap B is recessed, as indicated at 29, to engage over theend of the post A when the cap is drawn forwardly, the back wall of therecess forming an abutment 3o adapted to engage the end face of the postto positively limit forward movement of the cap B and limit compressionof the mechanism, thereby preventing the spring E from being undulycompressed and going solid.

In the operation of my improved mechanism, when a draft or pulling forceis applied to the drawbar I5 the wedge cap B is moved forwardly with thedrawbar by engagement of the nut I8 with the former,A thereby wedgingthe shoes C--C-C inwardly against the friction surfaces of the post. Asthe shoes are moved forwardly, wedging action isalso set up between thewedge faces of the shoes and the follower ring D, movement of which isyieldingly resisted by the heavy coil spring E. During movement of theshoes along the friction surfaces of the post A, a differential actionis set up due to the taper of the post, thereby progressively increasingthe wedging force and the frictional resistance between the post and theshoes as compression of the mechanism proceeds. This action continuesuntil the actuating force is reduced or compression is limited byengagement of the cap B with the end of the post A.

In release of the mechanism when the actuating pressure is reduced, thefriction clutch comprising the cap B, shoes C, and follower ring D isreleased and the parts are restored to their normal position by theexpansive action of the spring E which forces the follower ring Drearwardly, the ring D in turn carrying the shoes C-C-C and the wedgecap B rearwardly therewith. Inasmuch as the cap B abuts the nut I8 onthe drawbar shank the expansive action of the mechanism is positivelylimited when movement of the drawbar is arrested by engagement of theshoulders lili-H53 of the hook portion thereof with the end sill.

Referring next to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure5, the construction is substantially the same as that disclosed inFigures 1 to 4 inclusive with the exception that the friction clutchcomprises six friction shoes instead of three. In Figure 5, the frictionshoes are indicated by F-F. The shoes F--F are arranged symmetricallyaround the post A, each shoe having a substantially at friction surfaceI25 on the inner side thereof cooperating with' one of the frictionsurfaces 22 of the post A. Each shoe is provided with wedge faces atopposite ends cooperating with corresponding wedge faces on the cap Band follower ring D, the wedge faces being the same as thosehereinbefore described in connection with the shoes C, with theexception that the wedge faces are flat instead of being of V-shapedcross section and that each fiat wedge face at one end of the shoecooperates with one of the wedge faces of the cap B and the fiat wedgeface at the other end of the shoe cooperates with one of the wedge facesof the follower ring D.

I have herein shown-and described what I now consider the preferredmanner of carrying out my invention, but the same is merely illustrativeand I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within thescope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim: f

l. In a draft rigging for a railway car provided with an underframestructure including an end sill and a front stop member, the combinationwith a friction shock absorbing mechanism including a hollow frictionpost having a laterally projecting base flange at its front end, thefront end of said post abutting said front stop, friction shoessurrounding said post and having lengthwise sliding engagementtherewith, a coil spring surrounding said post, said spring reactingbetween the shoes and the base ange of the post to oppose movement ofthe shoes forwardly on said post, and a wedge cap having wedgingengagement with the rear ends of said shoes to force the same againstthe post; of a lengthwise movable drawbar extending through said post,said drawbar having shouldered engagement with the wedge cap to pull thelatter forwardly therewith' in draft and having'shouldered engagementwith said end sill to limit inward movement of said drawbar andrestrictexpansion of the friction shock absorbing mechanism.

2. In a draft rigging for a railway car provided with an underframestructure including an end sill and a'front stop member, the combinationwith a hollow friction post of hexagonal exterior cross section, thefront end of said post abutting said front stop; of three friction shoessurrounding said post, said shoes having friction surfaces of V-shapedcross section on their inner sides engaging said hexagonal post, Saidshoes being slidable lengthwise on said post; spring means yieldinglyopposing relative movement of said shoes and post; a wedge cap havingwedging engagement with the rear ends of said shoes to force the sameagainst the post; and a lengthwise movable drawbar extending through thepost, said drawbar having shouldered engagement with 'the wedge cap topull the latter forwardly in draft.

3. In a draft rigging for a railway car provided with an underframestructure including an end sill and a front stop member, the combinationwith a hollow. friction post of hexagonal exterior cross sectionpresenting six longitudinally extending exterior friction surfaces; ofthree friction shoes surrounding said post, said shoes having frictionsurfaces of V-shape-d cross section on their inner sides Vengagingadjacent friction surfaces of said post, said shoes being slidablelengthwise of said post, said shoes having outer wedge faces at theirrear ends;V spring means yieldingly opposing relative movement of saidshoes and post; a Wedge cap having interior wedge faces engaging thewedge faces of said shoes; and a lengthwise movable drawbar extendingthrough said post, said drawbar having shouldered engagement with thewedge cap to pull the latter forwardly therewith in draft.

4. In a draft rigging for a railway car provided with an underframestructure including an end with a hollow friction post of hexagonalexterior cross section presenting three longitudinally extendingexterior friction surfaces of V-shaped transverse cross section, saidthree surfaces converging rearwardly of the post; of three frictionshoes surrounding said post, said shoes having friction surfaces ofV-shaped transverse cross section on the inner sides thereofrespectively engaging said V-shaped friction surfaces of the post, saidshoes Ibeing slidable lengthwise of said post, said shoes having outerwedge faces at their rear ends of V-shaped transverse cross section;spring means yieldingly opposing relative movement of said shoes andpost; a wedge cap having three interior wedge faces of V-shapedtransverse cross section respectively engaging the V-shaped faces of theshoes; and a lengthwise movable drawbar extending through said post,said drawbar having shouldered engagement with the wedge cap to pull thelatter forwardly therewith in draft.

5. In a draft rigging for a railway car provided with an underframestructure including an end sill and a front stop member, the combinationwith a hollow friction post of hexagonal exterior cross sectionpresenting three longitudinally extending exterior friction surfaces ofV- shaped transverse cross section; of three friction shoes surroundingsaid post, each of said shoes having a friction surface of V-shapedtransverse cross section on the inner side thereof, and outer wedgefaces at the front andrear ends thereof, said outer wedge faces being ofV-shaped transverse cross section, said V-shaped friction surfaces ofsaid shoes respectively engaging the V- shaped friction surfaces of thepost; a wedge cap at the rear of said shoes having V-shaped interiorwedge faces at the rear ends of said shoes; a follower ring surroundingthe post, said follower ring having V-shaped interior wedge facesengaging the V-shaped wedge faces at the front ends of the shoes; aspring yieldingly opposing relative movement of said follower ring andpost; anda lengthwise movable drawbar extending through said post, saiddrawbar having shouldered engagement with the wedge cap to pull thelatter forwardly therewith in draft.

6. In a draft rigging for a railway car provided with an underfrarnestructure including an end sill and a front stop member, the combinationwith a hollow friction post abutting said front stop, said post having alateral base flange at the front end thereof; of a drawbar having anelongated shank extending through said post and slidable lengthwisethereof, said drawbar normally extending beyond the rear end of saidpost and having a nut threaded on said extending end; a friction clutchsurrounding said post, said clutch including a plurality of frictionshoes having sliding engagement with the post, a wedge cap on saiddrawbar shank having shouldered engagement with said nut, said caphaving Wedging engagement with the rear ends of the shoes, and afollower ring surrounding said post having wedging engagement with thefront ends o-f said shoes; and a coil spring surrounding said post, saidspring being interposed between the base flange of the post and thefollower ring.

- STACY B. HASELTINE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 427,990 I-Iinson May 13, 1890656,925 Bickmeier Apr. 28, 1900 982,999 Sanford Jan. 231, 1911 1,000,312Willison Aug. 8, 1911 1,091,547 Ullman Mar. 31, 1914 1,174,094 SimonsonMar. 7, 1916 1,193,288 Morris Aug. 1, 1916 1,507,177 Henrickson Sept. 2,1924 1,704,050 McCurdy Mar. 5, 1929 1,830,587 Andrews Nov. 3, 19311,989,157 Schmidt Jan. 29, 1935 2,077,966 Spence et al Apr. 20, 19372,079,088 Spence May 4, 1937 2,360,478 Dath Oct. 17, 1944 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 598,485 Germany June 14, 19:34

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,451,551. October 19, 1948.

STAOY B. HASELTIN E It is hereby certified that error appears in theprinted specification of the above numbered patent requiring correctionas follows:

Column 5, line 6, claim 4, after the Word end insert sill and a from*stop member, the combination;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correctiontherein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. Signed and sealed this 15th day of February, A. D. 1949.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Uommz'ssz'oner of Patents.

